Harness mechanism for looms



Feb. 2, 1965 w. R. KRENZ 3,168,116

HARNESS MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed March 25, 1963 INVENTOR. WILL/AM R/(REWZ ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofifice 3,168,116 Patented Feb. 2, 1965 3,168,116 HARNESS MECHANISM FOR LOOMS William R. Krenz, Buffalo, N .Y., assignor to Buffalo Weaving and Belting Co., Buffalo, N.Y. Filed Mar. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 267,559 4 Claims. (Cl. 139-57) This invention relates, in general, to harness mechanism for looms and pertains, more particularly, to certain improvements in such mechanism whereby the production capacity of a loom may be materially increased.

As might be expected, it is often necessary to materially increase the production capacity of the loom in order to cope with increasing competition in the weaving art. In some cases, an increase in production capacity can be achieved simply by increasing the power input to the loom but, it is seldom that this expedient will permit of any material increase in the production capacity of the loom for the reason that the reliability of the loom is decreased to such an extent with any material increase in production capacity as to militate against reliance solely upon htis expedient. In particular, merely increasing the speed of operation of a loom, as aforesaid, places an inordinate load upon the harness mechanism which operates the heddle frame of the loom and a point is rapidly reached, when a loom is operated at a greater speed than it was originally designed for, at which structural failure of the harness mechanism is apt to occur at frequent intervals. Moreover, I have found that increasing th structural capacity of the harness mechanism is not, in itself, a satisfactory answer inasmuch as the inevitable Weight increase attendant upon such structural rigidification is, in itself, a limiting factor in the speed at which the loom may be operated due to the twofold increase in inertia loads, that is the increase due to the increased speed of operation and the increase due to the additional weight involved.

Therefore, according to the present invention, certain components of the harness mechanism for operating the heddle frames of looms is decreased in weight and is operated at reduced linear velocity, that is by decreasing its stroke, so that the net effect of these modifications is to permit the loom to be operated at higher operating speeds, thus increasing its production capacity by a material extent.

It is a further object of this invention toprovide an improved harness mechanism for looms which embodies simplicity in its construction and permits easy and rapid assembly and disassembly.

A further object of this invention is to provid an improved harness mechanism for operating the heddle frames of looms wherein a reciprocating link assembly is utilized which is constructed in simple yet efficient fashion and in such wise as to materially reduce the Weight thereof, decreasing the inertia loads effected by this structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved harness mechanism for looms characterized by the relationship that the operating mechanism for the heddle frames is maintained of reduced stroke, as compared to the stroke of the heddle frames, right up to the point of attachment to the heddle frames, thus materially reducing the inertia load effects of the operating mechanism and permitting the same to be made of structurally weaker components, and hence of less weight, even though the loom is operated at a materially greater speed to increase its production capacity.

The figure of the drawing illustrates a portion of the loom having the harness mechanism according to the present invention associated therewith major portions of the loom being omitted from the drawing for the sake of clarity and simplicity.

With reference :to the drawing, the reference character 10 indicates in general a heddle frame of entirely conventional construction and being mounted for vertical reciprocation relative to the loom frame indicated generally by the reference character 12 by any suitable, conventional means the details of which form no part of the present invention. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, only one heddle frame 10 is shown in the drawing, it being understood that as many heddle frames may be employed as is required and necessary for the particular weaving operation to be performed. Likewise, the heddles themselves are not shown in the drawing inasmuch as these, also, form no part of the present invention. Extending generally horizontally beneath the heddle frame 10 is a loom frame member or members 14 which serves as a mount for depending bracket members 16 and 18 and these brackets pivotally mount as at 20 and 22 a pair of respective levers 24 and 26, the positioning of the brackets 16 and 18 and the links of the levers 24 and 26 being such as tolocate the free ends of the levers 24 and 26 in more or less symmetrical alignment beneath the heddle frame 10. The levers 24 and 26 extend generally horizontally from their corresponding brackets 16 and 18 and, at their free ends, are connected pivotally, as at 28 and 30, to upstanding link members 32 and 34 which, at their upper ends, are pivotally attached as at 36 and 38 to suitable portions of the heddle frame 10. On each bracket 16 and 18, below the pivot shafts 20 and 22 thereof are further pivot shafts 40 and 42 providing pivotal mounts for bell cranks as shown, the respective bell cranks having the generally horizontal arms 44 and 46 respectively and the generally depending arms 48 and 50 respectively. The respective horizontal arms 44 and 46 are connected by the link members 52 and 54 to the respective levers 24 and 26, it being seen that the points 56 and 58 of pivotal connection between the links 52 and 54 and their respective levers 24 and 26 is located intermediate the connections of the respective levers 24 and 26 to the loom frame and to the heddle frame. Thus, it will be appreciated that the stroke imparted by the bell crank, in each case, is amplified by the linkage arrangement shown so that, according to the present invention, the total stroke or extent of vertical movement of the heddle frame 10 is not accomplished by the operating mechanism until such point as the operating mechanism is immediately adjacent to the heddle frame. The purpose of this relationship will be more particularly set forth hereinafter.

A generally horizontal link assembly 60 is utilized for imparting the proper oscillatory motion to the bell cranks as aforesaid, it being appreciated that the stroke of this assembly 60 is minimized by Virtue of the fact that the stroke amplification as set forth hereinabove is accomplished immediately adjacent the heddle frame 10. Not only is the link assembly 60 of relatively light weight so as to reduce its inertia effects but, also, its inertia effects are minimized by maintaining its stroke, and hence its linear velocity, at a practical minimum. The assembly 60 connects the aforementioned bell cranks to a further bell crank indicated generally by the reference character 62 to which latter bell crank the assembly 60 at attached and through with power is applied to such assembly 60. The assembly 69 comprises a plurality of spaced connecting collars 64, 66 and 68, a sleeve member 70 intervening between the two collars 64 and 66, a sleeve member 72 intervening between the connecting collars 66 and 68 and an extension sleeve member 74, substantially as is shown. These several sleeve members are abutted against the collars 64, 66 and 68 and are main tained in this position by means of a rod 76 which passes through the entire assembly and which is provided with opposite threaded end portions receiving nuts such as those indicated by reference characters 78 and 80 so as to maintain the abutting relationship between the several connecting collars and the sleeve means. .By this an rangement, it will be readily appreciated that when the assembly 60 is reciprocated toward the right in the drawing, the rod 76 will act as a tension element for imparting drive to the heddle frame 10, the sleeve means being relieved of any responsibility for imparting the drive. On the other hand, when the assembly 60 is reciprocated to the left in the drawing, the rod 76 will be relieved of any drive responsibility and, instead, drive will be imparted through the sleeve means as will be readily appreciated. In the latter case, the sleeve means are acting as compression elements and by utilizing tubular or sleeve-like members for the compression elements and a rod-like member for the tension element, the net effect will be to permit that type of structure which is most advantageously adapted for its particular drive relationship to be utilized so that the total weight of the component parts may be thus minimized.

The several connecting collars 64, 66 and 68 are provided with bracket ears 82, 84 and 86 for pivotal connection to the depending arm 88 of the bell crank 62, and the depending arms 50 and 48 of the other bell crank respectively. The generally horizontal arm 90 of the bell crank 62 is connected, through a link 92 to a clamp member 94 engaged on the outer end of the alligator link 96 which is pivotally attached, by means of the pivot shaft 98 to the loom frame. The clamping member 94 may be adjusted along the length of the alligator link 96 to impart the desired final stroke to the heddle frame as will be readily appreciated. Vertical oscillation is imparted to the alligator link 96 by means of a further link 100 which extends upwardly therefrom for connection to the radial arm 102 rotatable with the input shaft 104. It is to be understood that the input shaft 104 is not the motor shaft or main drive shaft of the entity imparting power to the assembly, but, for the sake of simplicity since the drive mechanism per se forms no part of the present invention, the shaft 104 is, herein, referred to as the input shaft. The operation is such that the shedding control mechanism imparts periodic rotation to the input shaft 104 which, through the linkage assembly as hereinabove set forth, causes vertical reciprocation of the heddle frame 10. It will be appreciated that by the arrangement as is shown, the stroke of the component parts of the harness mechanism is minimized right up to the point at which the mechanism is attached to the heddle frame 10 so that the effects of inertia of the intermediate mechanism 'is minimized'thereby. In this fashion, a material increase in operating speed of the loom, and hence a material increase in its production capacity, may be achieved without imposing inordinate and undue inertia loads on the mechanism such as might,

tend to cause premature structural failure and, in general, unreliability of the so operated loom assembly.

Additionally, it will be apparent that dismantling and assembly of the link assembly 60 may be accomplished with rapidity and ease and without disturbing any of the loom mechanism.

It is to be understood that certain changes and modifications as illustrated and described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a loom having a loom frame, a heddle frame adapted for vertical reciprocation, and a power input shaft,

a pair of generally horizontal levers, each pivotally mounted at one end thereof'to said loom frame below said heddle frame, and each connected at its opposite end to said heddle frame,

alpair of bellcranks, each pivotally mounted tosaid loom frame below a respective one of said levers and each having a generally horizontal arm and a depending arm,

the horizontal arm of each bell crank being connected to a respective lever at" a point on the latter nearer its pivotal connection to the loom frame than is its connection to the heddle frame,

a single horizontal link disposed below said heddle frame and connected to the depending arms of said bell cranks for imparting oscillatory motion thereto, and means connecting said power input shaft to said link for reciprocating said link.

2. In a loom according to claim 1 wherein said link consists of an assembly comprising a plurality of spaced connection collars, sleeve means extending between and abutting said collars, a rod passing through said collars and sleeve means and means on the opposite ends of said rod maintaining said collars and sleeve means in engaged condition,

each collar having a projecting bracket ear for connection to said depending arms of said bell cranks and to said power input shaft, respectively.

3. In a loom having a loom frame and heddle frame adapted for vertical reciprocation,

a pair of generally horizontal levers, each pivotally mounted at one end thereof to said loom frame below said heddle frame, and each connected at its opposite end to said heddle frame,

a pairof bell cranks, each pivotally mounted to said loom frame below a respective one of said levers and each having a generally horizontal arm and a depending arm,

the horizontal arm of each bell crank being connected to a respective lever at a point on the latter nearer its pivotal connection to the loom frame than is its connection to the heddle. frame,

and a reciprocating link assembly connected to the depending arms of said bell cranks to impart oscillatory motion thereto,

said link assembly comprising a plurality ofspaced connection collars, sleeve means extending between and abutting said collars, a rod passing through said collars and sleeve means, and means on the opposite ends of said rod maintaining said collars and sleeve means in engaged condition,

each collar having a projecting bracket ear,

one ear being connected to one of said depending arms,

another car being connected to the other of said depending arms, and a further ear being adapted for connection to power input means.

4. In a loom having a loom frame, a heddle frame adapted for vertical reciprocation and a power input shaft,

mechanism connected between said power input shaft and said heddle frame for imparting reciprocation thereto,

said mechanism including a generally horizontal link assembly disposed beneath said heddle frame, means connecting said input shaft to said link assembly for imparting reciprocatory motion of predetermined stroke thereto, and means connecting said link assembly to said heddle frame for imparting a stroke thereto greater than the stroke of said link assembly,

said link assembly comprising a plurality of spaced connection collars, sleeve means extending between and abutting said collars, a rod passing through said collars and sleeve means, and means on the opposite ends of said rod maintaining said collars and sleeve means in engaged condition,

each collar having a projecting bracket ear, I

there being at least three collars, one having its ear connected -to the first mentioned means, and the others having their ears connected to the second mentioned means.

' (References on following page).

Referemzes Cified by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Bilhartz 139-78 Hunt 139-79 Nims 139-5 7 Broome 13984 6 FOREIGN PATENTS 789,473 8/35 France. 442,547 4/ 27 Germany. 746,687 5/43 Germany. 806,371 12/58 Great Britain.

DONALD W. PARKER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A LOOM HAVING A LOOM FRAME, A HEDDLE FRAME ADAPTED FOR VERTICAL RECIPROCATION, AND A POWER INPUT SHAFT, A PAIR OF GENERALLY HORIZONTAL LEVERS, EACH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT ONE END THEREOF TO SAID LOOM FRAME BELOW SAID HEDDLE FRAME, AND EACH CONNECTED AT ITS OPPOSITE END TO SAID HEDDLE FRAME, A PAIR OF BELL CRANKS, EACH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO SAID LOOM FRAME BELOW A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID LEVERS AND EACH HAVING A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL ARM AND A DEPENDING ARM, FI-01 THE HORIZONTAL ARM OF EACH BELL CRANK BEING CONNECTED TO A RESPECTIVE LEVER AT A POINT ON THE LATTER NEARER ITS PIVOTAL CONNECTION TO THE LOOM FRAME THAN IS ITS CONNECTION TO THE HEDDLE FRAME, A SINGLE HORIZONTAL LINK DISPOSED BELOW SAID HEDDLE FRAME AND CONNECTED TO THE DEPENDING ARMS OF SAID BELL CRANKS FOR IMPARTING OSCILLATROY MOTION THERETO, AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID POWER INPUT SHAFT TO SAID LINK FOR RECIPROCATING SAID LINK. 